Arboricultural Officer

Why Southwark?

Southwark is one of London’s most vibrant and diverse boroughs, where over 120 languages are spoken. We are a large, ambitious, and forward-thinking council with a strong track record of delivering high-quality services to our residents.

We’re working towards Southwark 2030 — a shared vision for a fairer, greener, and safer borough where everyone can thrive. Our green spaces are among our most valued assets, and we’re committed to sustainability, biodiversity, and excellence in public service across housing, highways, and parks.

At Southwark, you’ll join a passionate and supportive team where your work will have a visible and lasting impact.

What You'll Be Doing

As an Arboricultural Officer, you’ll play a key role in managing Southwark’s tree stock across housing estates, highways, parks, and open spaces. Your responsibilities will include:

• Delivering a customer-focused arboricultural service borough-wide
• Managing and monitoring internal and external contractors to ensure quality and health & safety compliance
• Planning and scheduling cyclical and proactive tree surveys and inspections
• Using the Confirm asset management system to issue and track work orders
• Responding to resident and stakeholder enquiries in a timely and professional manner
• Supporting the development of strategy and policy, including contributions to the Tree Management Strategy
• Monitoring budgets and contributing to financial reporting for works valued up to £1.5 million

This is a highly visible role where you’ll collaborate across departments and with community groups to ensure Southwark’s urban trees are healthy, safe, and sustainably managed.

What We're Looking For

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Qualified – Minimum Level 4 qualification in arboriculture (or equivalent experience)
• Experienced – Proven background in contract management, tree surveying, and arboricultural service delivery
• Knowledgeable – Strong understanding of tree health, legislation, safety standards, and best practices in urban tree management
• Tech-savvy – Comfortable using systems like Confirm (training provided) and preparing reports and analysis
• Collaborative – Skilled at building effective relationships with contractors, residents, and colleagues
• Flexible and reliable – Willing to travel across the borough and work outside normal hours when needed
• A full UK driving licence is essential

Additional Information

• Hybrid working is supported, though regular travel within the borough is required
• You’ll be part of the Environment, Sustainability & Leisure division, reporting to the Arboricultural Services Manager
• This is a public-facing role with significant environmental impact

Benefits and more information:

Working for Southwark Council – Southwark

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification for full details.

Closing date: Sunday 10 August 2025

Interviews: W/c 25 August 2025

Guaranteed Interview Scheme:

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we offer guaranteed interviews for specific groups of people. To qualify, you'll need to meet the minimum requirements for the role, and identify with one of the below criteria:

• Members of the Armed Forces and veterans
• Are currently in care, or have previously been in care
• If you consider yourself to be disabled or if you have a long-term health condition

We are an organisation who is passionate about our people and understands that richness of diversity is a requirement to provide the best possible services to our communities. This is demonstrated through our council-wide ambitious commitment to tackle racial inequality in our communities and workforce through our Southwark Stands Together programme. We particularly welcome applications from members of the Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to increase representation at senior management level in the Council.

Attachments

• Click here to view the Job description and Person specification